No extra funds for Town Hall project

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A proposal to provide an additional $1.1 million for renovating Town Hall fell short of the required two-thirds majority at Wednesday night’s Special Town Meeting. The tally was 225 in favor and 154 opposed, or roughly 25 votes shy of the minimum for approval. Three years ago, voters agreed to spend $3.9 million on the project, but updated estimates revealed the increased cost. The proposal remains on the Nov. 5 special election ballot. If the request is approved by voters townwide, the Board of Selectmen would decide what to do next, Town Clerk Janet Vellante said, with the options including calling another Special Town Meeting or cutting back the renovation plans.
Two of the 12 warrant articles Wednesday night were withdrawn, but nine others were approved, including giving the Planning Board one year to decide how it would handle proposals to open a medical marijuana treatment center, and giving the Board of Selectmen control over activities at Bare Hill Pond. The meeting drew nearly 400 of the town’s 4,005 registered voters, Vellante said.